The ongoing Leeds Test match is one of most one-sided Test matches where India have been at the receiving end. After dominating proceedings for the most of the last two Test matches, India lost ground on Day 1 at Headingley, and sank further on Day 2.
At stumps on Day 2, England lead by 345 runs. They still have two wickets in hand. Time is not a concern. With three more days still left in the game, they will bat as long as possible and try to stretch the lead close to 400. Both overnight batters – Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson – are capable of doing that.
India do not really have many options here, for England hold all possible cards. In all likelihood they will start their second innings in the first session of Day 3. The first objective will be to make England bat again. Whether they want to bide time and dig deep or counterattack their way out is the only thing left to be seen.
However, given the torrid run of form their celebrated middle order has had of late, things do not look bright for them.
– Expect Overton and Robinson to score quick runs early in the day and take the lead close to 400. Ideally the England think-tank would like to declare within an hour.
– The pitch has lot of runs in it. The likes of K.L. Rahul and Rohit Sharma – the two in-form Indian batters – will look to get going after their failure in the first innings.
– The second innings on that flat Headingley pitch is ideal opportunity for the likes of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara to get back into the grooves. Back them to get runs.